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D50.0 Iron Deficiency Anaemia – Causes and Treatment
D50.0 is the ICD-10 code for iron deficiency anaemia secondary to chronic blood loss. It describes a form of anaemia caused by prolonged iron depletion.
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D50.0 is the ICD-10 code for iron deficiency anaemia secondary to chronic blood loss. It describes a form of anaemia caused by prolonged iron depletion.
What is D50.0?
D50.0 is a diagnostic code from the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10). It stands for iron deficiency anaemia secondary to blood loss (chronic). This form of anaemia develops when the body loses more iron over an extended period than it can absorb through diet, leading to a gradual depletion of iron stores.
Causes
The defining cause of D50.0 is chronic blood loss, meaning small but continuous amounts of blood are lost over weeks or months. Since red blood cells contain large amounts of iron, sustained blood loss inevitably leads to iron deficiency. Common underlying causes include:
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)
- Peptic or duodenal ulcers
- Colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer
- Gastrointestinal bleeding caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Bleeding haemorrhoids
- Blood loss through the urinary tract (haematuria)
Symptoms
The symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia often develop gradually and may go unnoticed for a long time. Typical signs include:
- Persistent fatigue and exhaustion
- Paleness of the skin and mucous membranes
- Dizziness and headaches
- Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) and shortness of breath on exertion
- Brittle nails and hair loss
- Cracks at the corners of the mouth (angular cheilitis)
- Difficulty concentrating and irritability
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of D50.0 is confirmed through a blood test. Key laboratory parameters include:
- Haemoglobin (Hb): Below the reference range (less than 12 g/dl in women, less than 13 g/dl in men)
- Serum ferritin: Reflects iron stores; markedly reduced in iron deficiency
- Transferrin saturation: Indicates how much iron is being transported in the blood
- MCV (mean corpuscular volume): Reduced in iron deficiency, indicating microcytic anaemia
It is equally important to identify and investigate the source of blood loss, for example through gastroscopy, colonoscopy, or gynaecological examination.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the severity of the anaemia and the underlying cause of blood loss:
Iron Supplementation
The primary treatment is replenishing iron stores. This can be done orally (tablets or drops) or intravenously (infusion). Oral iron therapy is typically continued for several weeks to months until stores are fully restored.
Treating the Underlying Cause
In parallel with iron supplementation, the source of blood loss must be addressed, for example by:
- Medication or surgical treatment of peptic ulcers
- Hormonal therapy for heavy menstrual bleeding
- Removal of colorectal polyps
- Surgical treatment of colorectal cancer
Dietary Measures
An iron-rich diet supports the treatment. Good dietary sources of iron include red meat, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and dark leafy vegetables. Vitamin C enhances the absorption of non-haem iron from plant-based foods.
When to See a Doctor
Medical advice should be sought in cases of persistent fatigue, unexplained paleness, or dizziness. It is especially important to consult a doctor if blood is detected in the stool or urine, as this may indicate a serious underlying condition.
References
- World Health Organization (WHO): Haemoglobin concentrations for the diagnosis of anaemia and assessment of severity. Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System. Geneva, 2011.
- Camaschella C. - Iron-deficiency anaemia. New England Journal of Medicine, 2015; 372(19): 1832-1843.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE): Iron deficiency anaemia - recognition and management. NICE Guideline NG24, 2021.
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